Carbon Tool Steel (T13A)
Carbon Tool Steel is an alloy of iron and carbon, primarily used for its hardness and strength. It has been used for centuries to make cutting and forming tools, moulds and dies, and other industrial applications. In comparison to other grades of steel, carbon tool steels have a higher heat tolerance, allowing them to be utilized in a variety of processes requiring higher temperatures.
Carbon tool steel, designated T13A, is a low alloy, high-carbon steel that offers superb machinability. This steel type is eutectoid, meaning that it has a sligtly higher carbon content (1%) than the standard carbon content of 0.8% found in other steels. This high carbon content gives the steel its superior hardness and strength, although it can be prone to cracking if incorrectly heat treated.
T13A is the traditional tool steel of choice for a wide range of mechanical and manufacturing applications. With a low carbon content and superior machinability, T13A is an ideal choice for cold-work tooling such as drills, taps and reamers, as well as for parts that require intricate forms due to its excellent wear resistance. It can also be used for high-temperature operations, such as hot-forging operations, and is capable of withstanding temperatures up to 1000ºC.
T13A steel is also highly resistant to shock, abrasion and wear, making it an excellent choice for die casting and pressing applications. The steel is particularly suitable for use in injection moulding die sets, bolts, drive components and washers, as its eutectoid carbon content increases its tensile strength and hardness.
T13A carbon tool steel is available in a wide range of shapes and sizes to suit any application, including rounds, blocks and plates. It is also available in a range of grades, including annealed (softened) and hardened (fully heat treated) varieties. The steel can be annealed in temperatures ranging from 750–850°C, which helps to maintain superior wear resistance and dimensional stability, while a full heat-treating process can be used to maximize wear and fatigue resistance.
Overall, carbon tool steel T13A is an exceptional grade of steel with a wide range of applications across various industries. It offers superior wear resistance, tensile strength and machinability, making it the perfect steel for producing parts and tools of the highest precision and quality.